Harry Vaughn

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Harry Francis "Farmer" Vaughn (born March 1, 1864 in Ruraldale, Ohio; died February 21, 1914 in Cincinnati, Ohio) was a 13-year Major League catcher and fielder who finished his career as player/manager for the Birmingham Barons from 1903 to 1908.

The six-foot-three Vaughn made his debut with the Cincinnati Red Stockings on October 7, 1886, playing in only one game before the end of the season. He started 1887 with the New Orleans Pelicans of the Southern League. That season he saw action in 66 games, mostly as a catcher with some time in the outfield and two appearances on the mound. In 1888 he remained in the Southern League, but played for the Memphis Grays for 18 games before his contract was bought by the Louisville Colonels of the American Association.

In 1889 Vaughn played the full season in Louisville, but moved the next year to the New York Giants of the Players League. In 1891 he returned to the American Association, playing for the Cincinnati Kelly's Killers. He was traded to the Brewers during the season and batted .333 in 99 at-bats for Milwaukee. He led the American Association in double plays as a catcher, but also spent time at first base and the outfield throughout his career.

In 1892 Vaughn returned to his beginnings with the National League Cincinnati Reds. Over the next eight years he batted .285 with 359 runs on 701 hits, batting in 414 runners. He also hit 15 home runs and stole 61 bases. He hit a slump in 1899, batting only .176 after 31 games and was released by the Reds on July 24. He finished the season with Charlie Comiskey's St Paul Apostles of the Western League.

After two years out of professional baseball, Vaughn re-emerged in the Western League in 1902, splitting the season between the Milwaukee Creams and the Peoria Distillers. In 1903 the 39-year-old Vaughn reported to Birmingham as a first baseman. He took over managing duties for part of that season, but was replaced by Tom O'Brien for the following year. Vaughn resumed managerial duties in 1905 and led the 89-63 Barons to their first Southern Association championship in 1906, which was also his last season on the active roster.

Vaughn yielded his managerial duties to Carlton Molesworth in August 1908. He died in Cincinnati in 1914.

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